Street food in Saigon: Top 8 of the best destinations you must-try

Arriving in Vietnam, particularly Saigon, without savoring its renowned street food is to overlook some truly exceptional experiences. So, which streets hold the highest affection among Saigonese for their culinary delights? Let’s delve into them with HOUSING SAIGON without delay.

1. Ho Thi Ky Street Food Hub

Address: Block 3, Ward 1, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

When it comes to Saigon’s street food scene, Ho Thi Ky Market is an unmissable destination. Renowned as the largest fresh flower market in the city named after Uncle Ho, the market also boasts a food area offering a plethora of delicious and affordable street-style dishes.

Ho Thi Ky Street Food Hub comprises closely arranged stalls selling tantalizing dishes such as grilled beef wrapped in lemongrass, Thai noodles, grilled skewered meat, fried chicken, skewered snacks, noodle soup, papaya salad with dried beef, marinated chicken feet with lemongrass and tamarind, grilled snails, lobster, pickled sour star fruit, sweet potatoes, crab soup, Cambodian desserts, Hong Kong-style layered cakes, Doraemon-inspired donuts, and more. When visiting, be sure to come with both an empty stomach and a well-stocked wallet to fully indulge in the variety of culinary delights available.

2. Nguyen Thuong Hien Culinary Street

Address: Nguyen Thuong Hien Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Next on the list of Saigon’s culinary streets is Nguyen Thuong Hien, a bustling thoroughfare in District 3 beloved by snack enthusiasts. This street specializes in offering light snacks such as rice paper rolls, mixed fermented pork, spring rolls, skewered snacks, fertilized duck eggs, and more.

What sets this street apart is the absence of storefronts or shops; instead, vendors operate from small carts with a few plastic tables and chairs set up for customers to dine in. Despite the narrow space and limited seating, this epitomizes Saigon’s sidewalk dining culture, which is both down-to-earth and intimate.

3. Turtle Lake

Address: Intersection of Vo Van Tan, Pham Ngoc Thach, and Tran Cao Van Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Turtle Lake stands out as a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Saigon’s tourism scene. While the scenery around the lake may not be extraordinary, the culinary offerings here definitely deserve a perfect score. Surrounding Turtle Lake, numerous food stalls line the shore and adjacent streets.

Here, you can indulge in a variety of street foods, including taro tea, strawberry tea, mixed rice paper salad, grilled quail eggs, fertilized duck eggs, quail eggs on skewers, grilled rice paper, coin cakes, cinnamon snail ice cream, stick ice cream, and more. Despite being located in the central district of District 3, the prices at this food street are quite budget-friendly, suitable for students and budget-conscious diners alike.

Additionally, there are many bubble tea shops, restaurants, and upscale cafes near Turtle Lake, providing alternative dining options for those who prefer not to dine on the sidewalks. Overall, if you’re unsure where to go on the weekend, Turtle Lake offers a refreshing atmosphere and a plethora of delicious food choices, making it an excellent choice.

4. Street Food Alley 200th, Xom Chieu

Address: Alley 200th, Xom Chieu, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City

If you’re in District 4 and craving delicious, affordable eats, head straight to Alley 200th, Xom Chieu. This area is renowned as a haven for street food, with most eateries offering wallet-friendly prices without compromising on flavor.

First and foremost, mention must be made of Aunt Lan’s mussel noodle soup stall located near Xom Chieu Church. This establishment receives high praise from many diners for its flavorful broth, perfectly balanced spicy and sour taste, catering to the majority of palates. Near Aunt Lan’s stall is Co Oanh’s braised offal stall, where you must try the braised offal bowl. Made from beef offal, the rich and aromatic coconut broth is incredibly satisfying. For visitors from the North, trying braised offal for the first time here will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression due to its deliciousness.

Furthermore, Alley 200th, Xom Chieu, is home to numerous excellent snail eateries, offering a wide selection of seafood for you to choose from, including baby lobsters, conch shells, and more. When visiting this bustling street food area, the only concern is whether your stomach can handle the plethora of delectable dishes available.

5. Alley 76th, Hai Ba Trung street

Address: 76 Hai Ba Trung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Despite being relatively small, Alley 76th on Hai Ba Trung Street is where you can enjoy a wide range of quintessential Saigon street foods at affordable prices. Residents here run businesses together, selling drinks and food items. You can stroll around, place your order, and then sit down to enjoy your meal.

One of the advantages of Alley 76’s street food area is its diverse menu, featuring dishes such as Thai noodles, crab noodle soup, grilled meat vermicelli, stir-fried meat vermicelli, baby clam vermicelli, crab soup, dim sum, spring rolls, stir-fried corn, grilled rice paper, and more. However, according to HOUSING SAIGON experience, the downside here is that the alley is quite narrow, resulting in a relatively hot and stuffy atmosphere, especially during the daytime. On weekends, the alley gets crowded, making the space a bit cramped.

6. Tan Dinh Night Market Food Zone

Address: 336 Hai Ba Trung, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Tan Dinh Market is highly regarded among Saigonese. Operating both day and night, the daytime market sells various items such as fabrics, clothing, food, seafood, fresh flowers, and household items. In the evening, the market lights up with food stalls offering a myriad of street food delicacies.

The most famous dish here is undoubtedly the delicious broken rice. Packed with generous portions, the tender and fragrant ribs, marinated with rich spices, are accompanied by a sweet and savory broth made from bones, perfectly complementing the broken rice. If you’re in Saigon and craving tasty broken rice, head straight to Tan Dinh Night Market. Additionally, you can enjoy other enticing dishes here such as pork cartilage rice porridge, frog porridge, chicken rice, chicken salad porridge, snail stalls, grilled meat vermicelli, and various types of dessert.

7. Ha Ton Quyen Dumpling Alley

Address: Ha Ton Quyen Street, Ward 15, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City

When it comes to the most delicious dumplings in Saigon, Ha Ton Quyen Street’s food zone is undoubtedly the place you must visit. This area is home to the Chinese community, so the dumplings here are incredibly delicious, with a variety of fillings. Special mention must be made of the sweet and savory broth made from simmering bones, served alongside the dumplings, which is simply perfect.

Moreover, along Ha Ton Quyen Street, you can also enjoy other authentic Chinese dishes such as duck leg noodle soup, wontons, pan-fried pancakes, steamed buns, and more.

8. Co Giang Street Food

Address: Co Giang Street, Ward 1, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Finally, on the list of Saigon’s street food scenes, we have Co Giang Street. This street is home to many budget-friendly eateries that typically open from the afternoon until late at night. If you’re looking to indulge in Saigon’s street food delights, heading here around 5 pm would be ideal.

The food offerings on Co Giang Street are quite diverse, featuring standout dishes such as chicken rice with pork skin, “bò né” (Vietnamese beef steak), grilled beef wrapped in “lá lốt” leaves, crispy fried noodles, mixed noodles, and “bánh canh” (Vietnamese thick noodle soup). Additionally, there are numerous bubble tea shops and snack stalls where you can enjoy casual conversations with friends. However, being located in the heart of District 1, the prices here tend to be on the higher side. If a restaurant doesn’t display clear menu prices, it’s advisable to inquire beforehand to avoid any surprises when ordering.